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March 2013

March 30, 2013

Do you think that lamp stands out? The other day when it slowed down at the shop I nabbed a vintage lamp frame from Julie's shop and dressed it in old lace and embroidery trims. I did not glue or permanently attach any of the trims to the frame. It was simply draped over the metal frames and then I tied a satin ribbon around the shade. Do you like it? I thought it turned out quite vintage shabby. I thought you'd like to see it.

Only a few more rabbit sacs left at the shop! The little bags were popular. I'm also out of Easter soap cartons. I'm so happy your're gifting rabbits sacs and soap in your baskets.

The shop was swamped yesterday! It was a sunny warm spring day and folks were taking advantage of the beautiful day.

I have several orders to pack and then I'm off to the shop.

Yesterday a lady came in and she said, "Wow, you already have new things." She had just been in last week. I told her that I made new things almost every week. I'm taking in some new things this morning and I have boxes sitting at my back door with new packaging. The new stuff is going to be used to make 'new stuff'. The body bar I mentioned and a spring, summer parfum.

We'll be helping the kiddo's hunt easter eggs tomorrow. I'll try and get some shots. Now that I have an Ipad, my camera kind of sits on the back shelf.

Shop open today, 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Come and check out the new stuff!

March 28, 2013

I'm mildly obsessed with dried flowers. Some of you already know that though. A favorite dried flower is the star flower. I remember being fond of these flowers when I was a teen. The new shop has a variety of colors to choose from. A bouquet of the dried star flowers adds a touch of prairie charm to your decor.

I'm also obsessed with anything faintly related to spring. Our winter seems to want to hang on. Since I'm such a fan of spring, I'm anxiously awaiting for her to show up. The bright yellow daffodils will have to suffice for the moment. I'm gazing out my kitchen window and can still see remnants of the white stuff. It's in the melting, muddy, dirty stage, not my favorite seasonal interlude. Soon, soon the grass will be green and the robins will sing.

It's so much fun to have my shop in and amongst Julies vintage boutique. I get to go shopping and borrow pieces and use them for display. For example that little blue vase. You guessed it! I snatched it from Aggieal's Attic Vintage Boutique. By the way, Julie has two of them! Yesterday I created something from a vintage lamp skeleton. I'm going to take a picture when I get back to the shop. I think it turned out darling but then again, I'm biased.

I dug into my box stash. I'm mildly obsessed with packaging too! Most of you know that also. Especially attracted to boxes of different sizes. When I was digging around I found these old dessert boxes. I purchased the stamp for one dollar at the craft store. Thinking the boxes will be great for soap packaging.

I wrapped soap all day yesterday! Thinking, hoping I'm caught up a bit. However, if I'm not that's not a bad thing. I'm hearing the same comments from customers. "I love the way you package your soap." The packaging is an experiment, kinda. I'm studying, looking into what folks are attracted to. It seems that's an important aspect when you sell things. The traditional muslin bag soap wrap is falling behind the colorful pretty paper wrappings.

Speaking of soap... I'm behind on production. Summer soap manufacturing should have already kicked in. It's a couple weeks behind schedule. It will resume next week. I haven't even pondered flavors yet. That's the fun part!

I'm taking the day off. Not really off as in nothing to do. Julie will be running my shop today. I'm making pinnies! I really wanted to have some new spring aprons hanging from the mannies.

I went to the fabric stores last night and scoured their selection of textiles. I'm sad to say, not much to choose from. After searching through two fabric stores, I only came home with a couple of prints. Is it a bad time of year to purchase fabric at the fabric store? Am I too picky? Nope... I don't think so. Have you priced fabric lately? My goodness sake! Thinking I'm going to need to purchase wholesale bolts now. I can't believe how much fabric costs now! It used to be an affordable luxury to sew and make your own clothing. Now it's simply a luxury.

I haven't used the vintage 1967 pinnie pattern in awhile. Going to go through my pattern stash too.

March 27, 2013

Back to the shop this morning. During the weekend and the days I'm off, Monday and Tuesday I'm making things and puttering around the house but I'm also anxious to get back to my shop. I love it there! I also love the print used to create this marketing card.

I thought I'd share the print with you. It can be used to help create various things. Cards, Lined Envelopes, Tage, etc.

How about a huge bunny too! If you want you can copy and paste and customize the size to fit your projects.

We're headed to dad and M.J's for Easter. You may recall some posts about the famous Easter egg hunts. Remember little Kate?

I'm working on invites for our next event. May Day my favorite day of the entire year. Silly me, I put March 27 as the date. I clipped it, and placed the correct date on the card, but will need to make some other changes. I love the hydrangea shot.

Thank you, thank you for all the kind emails and calls. You will never know how much it all means to me and how it feels delightful, warm and soulful when you send your love and good thoughts.

I filled both Julies shop and mine with the bright yellow blooms of the happy little flower. Although spring is slow to arrive outside, it's already inside at both boutiques. I shot this last spring. They're not actually daffodils, but jonquils.

I've received some emails lately requesting information about the shop music. I'd be happy to share my favorite singer with you.

Her name is Blossom Deary. Yes, that is her real name. You can order her music here. You won't be disappointed. Blossom has a sweet happy unique singing voice that only she can deliver. Unfortunately she passed away a few years ago. I love her music! I'm waiting to hear back from the music publishers so that I can offer her music in the shop.

Next. The lemon curd recipe I used to make the lemon bars. So easy and a delightful treat to serve for Easter and spring. You may find the recipe here. Don't freak out that it uses the microwave to make the curd. You will love it and it will turn out perfect.

Here's the recipe for the carrot cake served at the grand opening and open house. Don't leave out the pineapple or coconut. You don't even know they're added. Again, another yummy dessert for spring.

Several of you, my wonderful customers, friends, have requested items for me to offer in my new shop. Your suggestions have been top-notch suggestions and I've acted upon some of your requests.

Bittersweet, Jill will offer some of her photographs at the shop. I'm starting with images of herbs and flowers and summer butterflies. The prints will be available in a variety of sizes, but start at 9x 12. Thank you Pandy for the fabulous idea. Merci.

Also, the Chinese scissors. I'm working on establishing a wholesale account with a supplier of the unique cutting devises. As soon as I hear back, I will place an order an offer them at the shop.

Enamel bowls, both small and large, coming!

More lavender bundles and larkspur coming too! I'm so happy you like, love them as much as I!

New natural apothecary products...

A new Spring, Summer parfume. Similar notes to our original scented parfume with a few slight changes in top notes.

A new lotion bar is coming too! I found the coolest packaging for the new moisture bar. Think Green! You will love it!

It's exciting for me to see what, which items appeal to you. I'm also excited to share my creations.

Oh I almost forgot... The vintage style ephemera in the tin case. More of those coming too since I sold out on Saturday.

March 25, 2013

Bittersweets grand opening was a grand celebration indeed! That's a picture of the table filled with confections and cute little Lily, the daughter of the coffee shop proprietors. She's the cutest peep and so very sweet. I told Lily she looked exceptionally pretty right before this picture was taken. She replied, "I put on a touch of makeup this morning!" Aren't kids great? Mine is all grown and since I didn't have a girl the topic of pink lips and rosy cheeks was never part of our conversation.

The shop was filled to the brim with an assortment of Bittersweets. It is more than a thrill to have the opportunity to share my handmade creations and to make and design new things. It's also thrilling to be back in this cozy spot. Those thoughts are almost overwhelming sometime when I stop to think how fast it all happened. The dream, and the process of acting upon those tugging ideas that would not have easily disappeared I don't think. Those thoughts resemble a small child tugging at your pant leg trying to get your attention. Hopefully sooner or later you act upon their request. Since everything happened so fast, I'm still in awe about that, and how I never doubted one second that these steps would help to create a perfect ending. Sometimes the steps get covered with dirt and grass and it's hard to recognize or see them. Then a soft quiet spring rain arrives and the soil is swept off and once again you're able to see them. Now you know you're on the right path. You can't get lost.

Those soulful thoughts continue as I think about how happy it feels to share shop duties with my best friend. I joked with friends and customers on Saturday when I told them Julie and I are kind of like pea's and carrots. I'm peas and Julies carrots. If I were to tell Julie that she would reply, "Well, I kind of want to be peas instead of carrots!"

Anyway... It's a joy to once again have a shop in "Star Hollow." Oops, I mean Liberty!

Thank you everyone that attended Bittersweets grand opening on Saturday. I had a blast visiting with you.

March 22, 2013

Come join us as we celebrate the arrival of our new soap shop on water street nestled in a beautiful century old home and joined with a vintage boutique. The first ten guests tomorrow will receive a free gift! We're serving spirits and confections. We're not going to let a little snow put a damper on our party! We look forward to seeing you!

March 21, 2013

The green grass and a large freshly picked bouquet of aromatic lilacs. I remember taking this photo last spring. It was probably this time in March and it was hot. I remember thinking then it was early in the season to be so hot.

Present day and I'm wishing for hot. We have some less desirable weather moving through. Snow, rain and cold. Yesterday at the shop I heard the same question over and over again. When is spring going to get here? I erased the chalkboard from "the first day of spring is March 20, to, wishing for spring." The midwest has what I feel some of the most beautiful spring and falls. It's the getting there that sometimes takes patience. Then while you're sleeping and you awake it happens and life is good. Isn't it interesting how we put so much to-do into what's happening with our weather.

When I was a little girl I'd hear old timers say things like, "there is a northerner coming through tonight." At that time I wondered what the heck is a northerner??? I used to fish. There were weather related sayings for fishermen too. For instance, "Winds from the west, fish bite the best." Winds from the east, fish bite the least." Speaking from experience, I'd have to say those two phrases are probably true. I never caught a fish when the winds were from the east. If we have a summer storm and the winds are from the east it's usually bad.

La, tee, da, tee, da. I guess maybe I should have been a weather girl instead of a soap maker!

All kidding aside. Bittersweets Grand Opening is on Saturday! I have one more wish to add to my spring wish. Please, pretty please with gooey butter cookies on top pop on the warm gear and rain or snow boots and drop by the soap shop on water street on Saturday. It may be winter outside, but it's definitely spring inside our cozy shop.

I especially don't want the confections I'm making to go to waste. I dropped by the grocery store last night and picked up the baking supplies. I'm putting together some hostess gifts and making more Easter gifts.

We have fun at these events. It's a joy to be amongst friends and I'm more than excited to share a shop with my best friend.

March 20, 2013

I began making hats several years ago. This one was the first hat I made. I have hung onto it for that reason. I'm also fond of its simplicity and hue. I'm really wanting to make an entire line of summer hats. They will probably be made from linen like the one in the picture. You may remember the "Lake House" series of Bittersweets. It consisted of airy summer blouses and summer shorts.

Speaking of shorts... I finished making four new pairs! They're at the shop.

While on the subject of warm. It's incredibly cold and snowy and winter like and does not even faintly resemble what I imagined the first day of spring to be. I'm trying to make the best of it. My shop is sunny and bright and fun. I'm going to celebrate spring there today while wearing warm clothes and making a fire in the fireplace. The shop kitties are wishing for spring too. They are fidgety and travel in and out. You can almost imagine what they must be thinking. I'm guessing they think maybe this time when I go outside it will be warm. They when it isn't they high tale it back inside and flop down in front of the fire. Smart kitties, I know.

Preparing the pastry menu for Saturdays event. What's a little snow and cold temperatures when we have a GRAND OPENING TO CELEBRATE. What's that old saying? "The show must go on!"

Julies out of town tending to her sweet ninety-three year old mother in law. I only met her a couple of times. Both encounters were memorable as she was a kind loving soul. It is leaning more and more towards Julie not being here for Saturdays open house and grand opening. Julie's mom Patty is coming to the rescue to help that day and I hired sweet Becky to work Bittersweet register.

I'm anxious to make this spring confection. Don't they sound yummy? Lemon curd delight! Also on the menu, this carrot cake. Coconut and pineapple added, interesting and has me curious especially after reading the reviews. Must make. We will need some chocolate too. Not sure in what form it will be yet. Oh and fresh ripe juicy strawberries to counter the cold.

March 19, 2013

This post is a serious one. A time to self-reflect. Ponder some thoughts and answer some personal questions...

When you wake in the morning do you have mostly happy thoughts running through your head? Do you enjoy what you do? Does what you do make you happy? Are you content with your life? Do you strongly feel and kind of in a magical way that what you're doing and where you're going is meant to be?

If you answered yes to these questions then you may pass go and collect $500. However if you answered no to any of those questions then it's time to sit down and figure out why the no answer.

Okay, I know each and every one of us is going to have unhappy moments in life. Unfortunately that's life. However, and speaking from my personal experiences I believe the unhappy, sad moments in life are what make us better humans. Those life episodes help to make us stronger and wiser. They're suppose to anyway, I believe. That topic fits along with this discussion.

No I do not have a degree in psychology. My degree is more hands on.

Years ago I worked at a job that I hated. Every morning after waking and even before I got out of bed I began to grumble to myself and complain and dread that drive into work. Needless to say, the job only lasted a few months before I found one that I liked. I was young, probably in my mid twenties at the time.

During those few months of working a job I hated a valuable life lesson was learned. The teachings taught me that happiness comes from the inside, not the outside. Does that make since? Probably not...

It's a perspective thing. I warned you!

What makes one person happy, doesn't make another happy too!

Happiness comes from the inside.

Sometimes a person needs to train themselves to be happy. Did you know that?

I call it a "boot camp" for learning how to be, live happy. That's another subject being versus living happiness.

What's your point Jill ? I'm getting there!

By the way, some people believe money makes them happy. I strongly believe money has little effect on a persons happiness.

Here's a question to ask yourself. If I had ten trillion dollars would I be happy? Some of you may answer yes to that question. However, I know without a doubt that money does not build happiness. There's a key word, BUILD...

Happiness comes from the inside, not the outside.

Okay so far we have, TRAIN and then BUILD... Yeah, that makes since, right.

We have to start somewhere.

If you were hired for a job you've never done, then you would need to train and then build.

Those two simple words create a metaphor and create the path of locating happiness I believe.

Happiness comes from the inside...

I often reflect and ponder thoughts of the olden days when folks suffered and sacrificed and indured hardships of many. Some of which today most of us would probably not survive mentally or physically.

Long story short....

Each of us is here for a reason. We made it this far. Sometimes you may not feel a purpose for your life. Believe me, there is! Illness and suffering sometimes make it difficult to remain happy.

Always remember that...

Happiness comes from the inside. It's a choice. God gave each of us the wonderful ability and freedom to make our own choices. Sometimes life challenges get in the way of these feeling. Those hurdles will help you to be a stronger person. They should not make you bitter or unhappy.

March 18, 2013

I'm in calm mode. At least I'm making every attempt to capture it. The shop was hopping on Saturday! I sold out of several items. The sleeping shorts are selling as fast as I make them! Not to mention, it's difficult to not keep them for myself. I have several pairs! They are the most comfortable short I've ever worn! I can even sleep in them.

It's grand opening week at the shop! This Saturday marks the official day. I wish the stars were lined up better with the weather. No rain, but unseasonably cool, cold for this time of year. It is what it is! I'm going to put a smile on and take in the memories.

I listed the new Bittersweet on the web shop. The Petite Easter Carton Soaps are a favorite! Then these... Made from my treasured stash of Liberty of London cloth.

Sorry I did not list these on the web site. If you are interested in one drop me a request and I'll set you up.

More things to share, but short on time. What we need is lots of soap!